Child Custody Lawyer in Denver

What is child custody?

While divorce is one of the most difficult situations you will go through,
it is ten times worse when a child is involved. Child custody is used
to determine the relationship status between the parents and their child.
The parent (or parents) who is awarded custody is given the legal right
to make decisions on behalf of the child, as well as the responsibility
to care for the child. In cases where the parents are
divorcing, unmarried or not living together, the courts have two types of custody
to determine: legal and physical. Based on the court's judgment, they
will award either joint or sole custody, meaning that either parent could
be given this right.

How is child custody determined in Colorado?

In the state of Colorado, the big determinant of custody is the
best interests of the child. In cases where the child is of age to make logical cognitive decision,
the court will take their preference into consideration as well.

The other prominent factors that play a role in determining custody are:

The parent's wishes

Determining if they are "fit" parents

The child's relationship to each parent

The child's relationship to the siblings

The child's adjustment to the school and home environment

The mental and physical health of the parents

Which parent has more time to spend with the child

Who can better provide for the child (for ex: furthering their education)

The geographical proximity between both parents

The parenting styles (are they encouraging, loving and supportive)

In Colorado, the judges prefer to award the parents with joint custody.
This gives both parents ample time and contact with their child and minimalizes
any altering to the child's normal routine and lifestyle. The court however,
will not grant joint custody to a parent that they view as "unfit"
or a risk to the physical and emotional well-being of the child. Such
judgments are usually given in cases where one parent has a history of
violence, abuse, neglect, alcohol or drug dependency, or a criminal record.

Types of Child Custody in Colorado

Sole Legal CustodyWhen the court is discussing matters of sole legal custody they are referring
to one parent, the one and only person who has the authority to make legal
decisions on their child's behalf. These legal decisions could be in reference
to anything such as what schools they go to, what church they will attend,
what extra-curricular activities they can participate in, what places
they can visit, who will be their primary doctor and much more.

Joint Legal CustodyIn cases where both parents are awarded legal custody of their child, they
must consult with one another about any major decision pertaining to the
child. They legally share this responsibility and must be in communication
and agreement with one another. Having joint legal custody however, does
not necessarily mean that the parents also share joint physical custody.

Sole Physical CustodyThe physical custody of the child determines where they will reside the
majority of the time. When a parent is allotted sole physical custody,
this means that the child will live with them and belong to only one residence.
In cases of this nature, the non-custodial parent will be granted visitation
time to spend with the child, in some instances this may include sleepovers.

Joint Physical CustodyThe court's prefer to award joint custody if possible, because it encourages
shared parenting and gives the child quality time with each parent. With
a joint physical custody arrangement, the child is able to reside with
both parents, alternating between the two. The child's time is divided
up so that the time spent at each residence is just about equal.

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In Colorado, child custody is more commonly referred to as "parenting
time," and the courts will decide this based on the child's best
interest. The length of time for your divorce case depends on whether
you filed a contested or uncontested divorce, and could take anywhere
from six months to a year to work out all the details of the agreement.
The legal team at Jones Law Firm, P.C., can help you obtain temporary
orders that will protect your interests until the divorce case can be resolved

If you are looking to establish a custody agreement or modify an existing
agreement, you will need the help of an experienced
Denver family attorney. At Jones Law Firm, PC, we will do everything in our power to turn your
objectives into a reality. With a qualified attorney from our firm fighting
on your side, your rights will be protected and you can ensure that your
voice will be heard when determining custody. We know how important family
is and we want to help you fight to keep your children close during this
crucial time. Our firm is committed to producing results, even during
aggressive and complex litigation.

Call today to speak with a Denver family lawyer at Jones Law Firm, PC for the trustworthy family counsel you need and deserve.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.